Sports Digest

Article excerpt

Anthony has informed the New York Knicks of his long-expected
plans, two people with knowledge of the details said Sunday.

Anthony has a deadline today to terminate the final year of his
contract. He filed the paperwork Friday, one of the people told The
Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Anthony has repeatedly said he planned to explore free agency
this summer. Team president Phil Jackson told the All-Star forward
after the season he may want to delay the decision and play out the
final year of his deal, which would have paid him $23.3 million, but
Anthony is going ahead with his previous plans.

He told the Knicks he was sticking to his intentions during a
recent meeting in Los Angeles with Jackson, general manager Steve
Mills and new coach Derek Fisher, and has now made it official.

He will be eligible to negotiate with teams starting July 1.

Teams such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Miami have been
mentioned as potential suitors for Anthony, a two-time Olympic gold
medalist who led the NBA in scoring in 2012-13.

Anthony has never said he wanted to leave New York but said his
biggest priority is signing with a team that he believes can contend
for championships.

The Knicks went 37-45 last season, the first time Anthony missed
the playoffs in his 11-year career, and have little financial
ability to upgrade the roster this summer.

Rare genetic disorder ends player's NBA dream * Baylor center
Isaiah Austin has been forced to end his basketball career after
being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder.

Austin, who announced in April that he was leaving Baylor to
declare for the NBA draft, was found to have Marfan syndrome, a
disorder that affects the body's connective tissue. The condition
was discovered during a pre-draft physical.

Baylor coach Scott Drew said Sunday in a news release that the
discovery means Austin will not be able to play in the NBA.

The 7-foot-1 Austin averaged 12.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in two
seasons with the Bears. Drew said he hopes Austin will return to
school and finish his degree. …